The midfielder missed United's first two games of the season following his call-up to Australia's national squad for the Beijing Games, and he was not expected to play any part in today's clash with Oldham at Elland Road despite the Socceroos' elimination from the Olympics earlier this week.

Kilkenny should return to contention for next weekend's long trip to Yeovil and McAllister is not anticipating any problems with the fitness of a player who was absent from all but one of United's pre-season friendlies because of international duty.

Australia organised an intense schedule during the weeks before their first Olympic fixture, and Kilkenny featured in one of their Group A matches in Beijing, against Argentina.

But McAllister has a large collection of midfielders fighting for inclusion in his line-up, and the Leeds boss said: "I don't think he's under any illusions.

"He knows it's very competitive here, and moreso in his area of the pitch. We've got seven or eight top-quality midfielders for this level. He should be in good physical condition but he's maybe a player to watch further down the line."